Page 121 of Heat of the Everflame

“What price will it take to change your contact’s mind?”

“It’s not possible. Either wait or find your own way back.”

“Surely we can wait one day,” I offered.

Luther glared in silence, frustration wafting off him like steam. A long moment passed, and he said nothing.

I leaned out from behind him and tried again. “Crossing the sea in winter will be cold and rainy. We could all use a warm bed and another hot meal before we go.”

I glanced at Luther. His jaw tensed and adjusted, but he offered no response.

Finally, I turned to Zalaric. “Thank you. We’ll leave with your contact tomorrow night.”

His eyes darted from me to Luther, gleaming with unasked questions. He held out a hand. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.”

I stepped past a bristling Luther to clasp Zalaric’s wrist. “Please, call me D. I’m Luther’s, um, cousin.” I gestured to the others. “This is Alixe—” She gave a shallow bow. “—and Taran.” He crossed his arms with a scowl.

Zalaric gave Alixe a fleeting wisp of a smile. His focus lingered on Taran’s chest, still bare from where my ministrations had been interrupted by his arrival. “Godstone?”

I nodded. “How did you know?”

He strolled to Taran, who stiffened bodily, and hovered a hand just above the wound at his shoulder. “May I, Terry?”

“It’s Taran,” he grumbled.

Zalaric shrugged. “Whatever.”

Taran’s mouth popped open. I bit my lip to hide my smile. A speechless Taran was something I never thought I’d see.

Zalaric waited patiently until Taran managed a nod, then brushed his fingers delicately over the planes of Taran’s golden-tan skin. “I’ve learned a bit about healing so I can tend to my customers’ needs. Over the years, I’ve seen quite a few godstone cuts.”

He traced the dark veins that still webbed from the wound while Taran gawked. Without even looking away from the injury, Zalaric crooked a finger under Taran’s slackened jaw and pushed it closed.

“Do you know much about treating them?” I asked.

“As I understand it, they can’t be treated. It’s simply up to luck whether the person survives.” He clicked his tongue. “Brutal death. Terribly painful. But this...” He swiped a thumb over the ridge of Taran’s collarbone and hummed. I began to genuinely worry Taran might pass away from shock. “This looks almost healed.” His gaze dragged up to Taran’s face. “I’ve never seen anyone survive godstone. You’re very lucky.”

Taran swallowed. “Well you’re very... very...” He swallowed again. “Very...”

“Rich,” Zalaric answered for him. He spun on his heel and strode toward the bookshelves. “And unlike you royals, I earned my fortune. Something I must now get back to doing.”

I followed behind him. “Thank you again, Zalaric. Your generosity is much appreciated.”

“I’m many things, D, butgenerousisn’t one of them. The bill for all of this will be outrageous. I hope you’re prepared to pay.”

“We are,” I insisted, having no idea whether we were or not, but Alixe was busy smirking at Taran while Luther had resumed his staring match with the fireplace.

As I watched Zalaric go to leave, my heart twisted with the urge to shower him in questions—about his upbringing in Umbros, about the half-mortal children, about his relationship with my mother. This was a man with endless stories to tell, and I yearned to hear them all.

Maybe he yearned to tell them, too, because he hesitated at the last moment. “If you wish, I could take you on a tour of the city tomorrow morning. I’d be happy to show you the lesser-known markets and all the best food vendors.” He gave a feline smile. “For a fee, of course.”

A disapproving growl rolled out from behind me, no doubt from Luther’s throat.

I sighed. “It’s a lovely offer, but we can’t risk being stopped.”

“Oh, the Centenaries won’t bother you if you’re with me. I bribe themextremelywell to leave me and my people alone. And I can disguise your faces with my magic, in case there’s anyone who might recognize you. I’m quite good at being invisible if I don’t want to be seen.” His eyes cut briefly to Taran. “And being noticed if I do.”

I didn’t have to see Luther to know he was mentally snarling at me to say no. But deep within, something was daring me to sayyes. Though I knew the others would see it as rebellion or reckless curiosity, it was beyond that. My soul felt certain we’d been brought here for a reason—and that Zalaric’s path and mine were paved with the same stones.

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